Fico, the creator of the almighty Fico score, says enhancements in its analytic modeling allow it to identify borrowers who are over 110 times more likely to strategically default than the least riskiest borrowers.
A strategic default refers to those who are able to make mortgage payments, but instead decide to default and go into foreclosure as a means of cutting their losses, despite the related credit score damage.
The company divided the population into high versus low strategic default risk bands, and found that the riskiest 20 percent of borrowers included 67 percent of those who eventually strategically defaulted.
This means loan servicers could potentially reach two-thirds of those who would commit strategic default by targeting just 20 percent of borrowers.
The data also revealed that these homeowners also tend to be more “savvy managers of their credit,” exhibiting higher Fico scores, lower revolving balances, fewer instances of exceeding limits on their credit cards and lower retail credit card usage.
Interestingly, the new FICO Labs research also indicates that borrowers who have lost the most home value are only twice as likely to default as those whose houses have lost the least value.
This counters previous studies, which argued that home price depreciation is the leading driver of strategic default.
A study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business indicated 35 percent of mortgage defaults in September 2010 were strategic, up from 26 percent in March 2009, so it’s clearly a concern for lenders and loan servicers alike.
More than two dozen trade groups have called for the reduction or elimination of loan-level pricing adjustments (LLPAs) on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, a move that could push mortgage rates even lower than they already are.
Put simply, mortgages lenders rely on risk-based pricing to set the eventual mortgage rate you receive. So all else being equal, a borrower purchasing a single-family home with 40% down will receive a lower interest rate than an investor purchasing a four-unit property with 20% down.
It makes sense to charge borrowers a higher interest rate if they present more risk of default, despite the fact that a higher interest rate may actually lead to an increased risk of default. That’s just the way it is.
But powerful groups like the Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of Realtors, and many more want to reduce or eliminate LLPAs going forward, per a recent letter to FHFA boss Mel Watt.
LLPAs Can Raise Effective Mortgage Rates Significantly
As mentioned, LLPAs affect the final mortgage rate a borrower receives. So a borrower with a 620 credit score purchasing a home with just 3% down via Fannie Mae’s 97% LTV offering may get hit with a 3.5% pricing hit to compensate for that risk.
That adjustment alone may increase their interest rate by around 1% or more. Generally, these pricing hits are built into the interest rate and a pricing hit of 1% may translate to a rate increase of 0.25% or so.
The groups argued in their letter that the LLPAs could total up to 4% of the loan value for some borrowers, which seem to hit first-time home buyers, along with low- and moderate-income buyers, the most.
Part of this phenomenon could be attributed to the fact that new buyers don’t know the rules of the game right off the bat, and often apply for mortgages with poor credit or a limited down payment.
The result is a much higher interest rate than wealthier buyers, or those with better credit and more to put down, such as move-up buyers.
At the same time, Fannie and Freddie have increased g-fees by roughly 164% between 2009 and 2014, another fee that is typically passed along to the borrower via a higher interest rate.
Together, this means higher effective mortgage rates for borrowers, despite the massive declines seen since the financial crisis nearly 10 years ago.
Tip: What mortgage rate will I receive with my credit score?
Mortgage Quality Pristine, Yet Fees Continue to Be High
The general argument is that mortgage quality couldn’t be better, yet Fannie and Freddie continue to charge (and raise) fees for the loans they purchase and securitize.
You would think in light of better loan quality and lower defaults they could ease some of these loan-level fees, but that has yet to be the case.
And these groups believe it’s gotten so bad that some qualified borrowers are being “priced away” from conforming loans and ostensibly into cheaper government loans such as FHA.
The issue is especially touchy seeing that these LLPAs generate enormous profits for Fannie and Freddie, which are under government conservatorship and shouldn’t really be raking it in.
Their implied goal should be to promote homeownership and ease credit for a large swath of borrowers, at least, that’s the theory.
And thanks to strong mortgage underwriting, enhanced mortgage insurance capital requirements, and improved reps and warranty framework, Fannie and Freddie should be comfortable enough to adjust their pricing policies.
But Would This Invite More Risk?
The counterargument here is that risk-based pricing is a necessary evil in the mortgage space (and elsewhere) that reflects borrower quality. After all, a mortgage borrower with a 620 credit score probably has a higher chance of default than a borrower with an 820 credit score.
Same goes for down payment size – the borrower who puts down 40% is likely less risky than the borrower putting down 10%. And interest rates have to account for that.
Sure, you could offer everyone the same rate and thus lower monthly mortgage payments for the riskier band of borrowers, which could effectively lower default rates.
But it could usher in new risk if borrowers are given ultra-low interest rates despite exhibiting high-risk borrowing attributes.
It could also promote hazardous lending because there wouldn’t be any downside to putting next to nothing down, or for maintaining poor credit.
At the same time, there wouldn’t be any upside for borrowers to be more conservative in their borrowing habits. They could essentially buy more home if they put less down and make speculative investments with greater ease.
Not to mention that interest rates are already close to new record lows, so arguing to lower them even more at the moment might seem a bit ill-timed. Perhaps they could lower LLPAs to align with today’s risk, but eliminating them entirely seems shortsighted and dangerous.
Opening a certificate of deposit (CD) account is one way to save for short- or long-term financial goals. You can deposit money, then earn interest for a set term until the CD maturity date rolls around.
At that point, you’ll have to decide whether to continue saving or withdraw the money. Your bank may renew the CD automatically if you don’t specify what you’d like to do with the account.
Understanding CD maturity options (and there are several) can help you decide what to do with your savings once the term ends. Here, learn more about:
• What happens when a CD matures
• What you can do with your CD when it matures
• What to do if you miss the grace period to withdraw funds
• What are the tax implications when a CD matures
What Can I Do When My CD Matures?
A certificate of deposit is a time deposit account. That means you make an initial deposit which earns interest over a set maturity term. You’re typically not able to make additional deposits to your CD, though some banks offer what are known as add-on CDs that allow you to do so.
You are not supposed to withdraw any or all of the funds until the CD matures; you’ve committed to keeping your cash there. That’s why CDs may pay a higher annual percentage yield (APY) than a conventional savings account.
Early withdrawal can trigger penalties, though there are some penalty-free CDs available, typically at a lower interest rate.
So what happens when a CD matures? It largely depends on your preferences, but there are four main possibilities for handling a CD once it reaches maturity.
Deposit It Into a Different Bank Account
If your financial goals have changed or you’d just like more liquidity when it comes to your savings, you could deposit CD funds into a bank account. For example, savings accounts and money market accounts are two types of deposit accounts that can earn interest.
You might deposit funds at the same bank or at a different bank if you’re able to find a higher rate for savings accounts elsewhere. Or you may choose to put your CD savings into checking if you were saving for a specific purchase and the time has come to spend that money.
Quick Money Tip: If you’re saving for a short-term goal — whether it’s a vacation, a wedding, or the down payment on a house — consider opening a high-yield savings account. The higher APY that you’ll earn will help your money grow faster, but the funds stay liquid, so they are easy to access when you reach your goal.
Deposit It Into a New CD
Another option is to continue saving with a new CD. You might prefer a certificate of deposit vs. savings account if you know that you won’t need the money prior to the CD maturity date.
Otherwise, you could end up paying a CD withdrawal penalty, as noted above, if you need to break into the new CD before it matures. The penalty for withdrawing money from a CD early can vary from bank to bank but it could cause you to forfeit a significant portion of the interest earned.
Automatically Renew the CD
Banks can renew CDs automatically if the account owner doesn’t specify that they’d like to make a withdrawal at maturity. In that case, your initial deposit and the interest you’ve earned would be moved into a new CD that would begin a new maturity term of similar length. The interest rate might be different, however, if rates have increased or decreased since you initially opened the account.
Continuing to save in CDs (or a savings account) can keep your money safe. When accounts are held at a FDIC-member bank, they’re protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership type, per financial institution by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. If you choose to have a CD at an insured credit union, NCUA (the National Credit Union Administration) will provide similar insurance. So if you’re wondering, “Can CDs lose money?” fear not. You can rest assured knowing your savings are covered.
A point worth noting: When you invest in CDs, their security can make them a good way to balance out your holdings. They can be a wise move if you have some funds in the stock market or other more volatile uninsured investments.
Withdraw CD Savings In Cash
A fourth option is to withdraw your CD savings in cash. That might make sense if you need the money to pay for a large purchase. For example, if you were using a CD to save money so you could buy a car, you might use the proceeds to cover the cost.
How Long Do I Have to Withdraw My CD?
Banks typically offer a grace period for CDs which allows you time to decide what you’d like to do with the money at maturity. The CD grace period is usually around 10 days (say, one to two weeks), and the clock starts ticking on the day the CD matures.
Your bank should notify you in advance that your CD maturity date is approaching so you have time to weigh your options. You may also be able to find your CD maturity date by logging in to your account or reviewing your account agreement.
It’s important to keep track of CD maturity dates, especially if you have multiple CDs with varying terms. For example, you might build a CD ladder that features five CDs with maturity terms spaced three, six, nine, 12 and 18 months apart. Being aware of the dates and grace periods can help you plan in advance which of the maturity options mentioned earlier you’d like to choose.
What Happens If I Miss the Grace Period to Withdraw?
Once the CD grace period window closes, you’ll generally have to wait until maturity to make a withdrawal. As mentioned, banks can impose an early withdrawal penalty if you take money from a CD ahead of schedule.
The penalty may be a flat fee, but it’s more common for the fee to be assessed as a certain number of days of interest. The longer the maturity term, the steeper the penalty usually ends up being. For example, you might have to pay three months’ worth of interest for withdrawing money early from a 6-month CD but that might get bumped up to a year’s worth for a 5-year CD.
There is one way to get around that. If your bank offers a no-penalty CD, you’d be able to withdraw money at any time during the maturity term without paying an early withdrawal fee. There is something of a trade-off, however, since no-penalty CDs typically offer lower interest rates than regular CDs.
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Things to Think About When Your CD Matures
If you have one or more CDs that are approaching maturity, it’s important to have a game plan when deciding what to do with them. Otherwise, you could end up locked in to a new CD which may not be what you want or need.
Here are a few things to consider when weighing your CD maturity options:
• Do I need the money right now?
• Could I get a better rate by moving the money to a new CD or savings account elsewhere?
• If I let the CD renew automatically, how much of a penalty would I pay if I decide to withdraw the money early later on?
• Would it make more sense to keep the money in a savings account so that it’s more accessible if I end up needing it?
• If I have multiple CDs in a CD ladder, does it make sense to roll the money into a new CD “rung” or use the funds for something else?
Thinking about your financial goals and your current needs can help you figure out which option might work best for your situation.
What Are the Tax Implications Once a CD Matures?
Here’s one more question you might have about CD maturity: Are CDs taxable? The short answer is yes. Interest earned from CDs is considered taxable interest income by the IRS if the amount exceeds $10. That rule applies whether the bank renews the CD, you deposit the money into a new CD or savings account yourself, or withdraw the money in cash. If you have a CD and it accrues more than $10 in interest, those earnings are taxable.
Your bank should send you a Form 1099-INT in January showing all the interest income earned from CDs (or other deposit accounts) for the previous year. You’ll need to hang onto this form since you’ll need it to file taxes. And if you’re tempted to just “forget” about reporting CD interest, remember that the bank sends a copy of your 1099-INT to the IRS, too.
The Takeaway
CDs can help you grow your money until you need to spend it. Assuming your goals line up with your CD maturity dates, that shouldn’t be an issue.
On the other hand, you might prefer to keep some of your money in a savings account so you have flexible access. When you open an account with SoFi, you can get Checking and Savings (and the ability to spend and stash your cash) in one convenient place. You’ll earn a competitive APY on balances, and you won’t pay any of the usual account fees. Those are two features that can really help your money grow and work harder for you!
Better banking is here with up to 4.20% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
FAQ
Which should you do when your CD matures?
When a CD matures, you can roll it into a new CD, deposit the funds into a savings account, allow the CD to renew, or withdraw the money in cash. The option that makes the most sense for you can depend on your financial goals and whether you have an immediate need for the money.
Do you have to pay taxes when your CD matures?
Interest earned on CDs is taxable. Your bank will issue you a Form 1099-INT in January showing the interest earned for the previous year. You’ll need to keep that form so you can report the interest earnings when you file your annual income tax return.
Are there penalties if you withdraw a CD early?
Banks can charge an early withdrawal penalty for taking money out of a CD before maturity. You may pay a flat fee or forfeit some of the interest earned. The amount of the penalty can vary by bank and by CD maturity term. Generally, the longer the maturity term, the higher the penalty ends up being.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on Savings account balances (including Vaults) and up to 1.20% APY on Checking account balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for these rates. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in Checking and Savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 4/25/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice. SOBK0123019
30-year fixed mortgage rates declined slightly last week, the first rate drop in three weeks, but it wasn’t enough to boost mortgage demand.
Mortgage applications fell last week by 1.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis compared to one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey.
The 30-year fixed rate decreased five basis points to 6.5% last week, which is still 114 basis points higher than a year ago, Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, said.
According to the survey, the seasonally adjusted purchase index decreased 2% from one week earlier. The refinance index, on the other hand, increased 1% from the previous week — but was down by 51% from the same week one year ago.
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) share of total applications decreased to 12.5% last week from 12.6% the week prior. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) share, however, rose to 11.3% from 11.2% one week prior. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) share also climbed marginally to 0.5%, up from 0.4% the previous week.
The MBA survey shows the average interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($726,200 or less) decreased to 6.50% last week from 6.55% the prior week. Rates on jumbo loans (greater than $726,200) decreased to 6.37% from 6.40% on a weekly basis.
“The jumbo-conforming spread continues to narrow, an indication that there is reduced lender appetite for jumbo loans following the recent turmoil in the banking sector and heightened concerns about liquidity. The spread was 13 basis points last week, after being as wide as 64 basis points in November 2022,” Kan said.
Following JPMorgan Chase Bank ‘s acquisition of First Republic Bank, there are expectations that the existing hole in jumbo lending will widen, Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan, indicated in a call with analysts on Monday.
“Making very large cheap mortgage loans will not happen going forward,” he said, noting that Chase won’t be following First Republic’s jumbo-lending model.
Despite the First Republic Bank failure, which resulted in the second-largest bank failure in US history, the Federal Reserve is still expected to raise rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday. An additional quarter-percentage point increase would lift the benchmark federal funds rate to 5 to 5.25% — a 16-year high.
The Federal Reserve aggressively tightened monetary policy in 2022, responding to high and persistent inflation. The resulting borrowing cost increase for households and firms was generally anticipated. However, fixed-rate mortgage interest rates were especially sensitive to the policy regime change.
We find that interest rate volatility and the unique nature of mortgage instruments were important contributors to last year’s outsized mortgage rate moves.
Fed rapidly tightened monetary policy
The Federal Reserve began the current monetary policy cycle at its March 2022 meeting by raising the federal funds rate target by 0.25 percentage points, to 0.25–0.50 percent. As inflation remained persistently elevated, the central bank continued lifting the target at subsequent meetings. The rate stood at 4.25–4.50 percent at year-end.
The Federal Reserve views changes to the federal funds rate’s target range as its primary means of adjusting monetary policy. However, the central bank also started reducing the size of its balance sheet—which includes Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities—in June 2022 by limiting reinvestment of principal payments on its maturing holdings.
The response of long-term interest rates to this tightening cycle has been less pronounced than the rise in the policy rate. The 10-year Treasury rate started 2022 at about 1.6 percent, peaked at around 4.2 percent in late October, and stood at almost 3.8 percent at year-end. So, while the federal funds rate target went up 375 basis points (3.75 percentage points), the benchmark long-term Treasury rate moved up only 220 basis points.
One might think that home mortgage rates would closely track long-term Treasury rates. That hasn’t been the case (Chart 1).
Downloadable chart
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage began 2022 at 3.1 percent, peaked in late October at 7.1 percent and ended the year at 6.4 percent. While both 10-year Treasuries and mortgages increased over the year, their difference was 60 basis points at the start of the year, widened to as much as 190 basis points in October, and stood at 150 basis points at year-end. What accounts for the significant widening between the two?
Decomposing mortgage interest rates
Mortgage interest rates that households pay to purchase or refinance homes are known as “primary rates.” A commonly cited measure of these interest rates comes from Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the data source for Chart 1. This weekly report provides the average interest rates for first-lien conventional, conforming fixed-rate mortgages with a loan-to-value of 80 percent. Conventional conforming mortgages are those eligible for securitization—or resale to investors—through Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. These two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) accounted for almost 60 percent of new mortgages during 2022.
The basis for primary rates is the secondary-market interest rates paid to investors holding uniform mortgage-backed securities (UMBS) guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. UMBS are created and traded with coupons (interest payments to investors) in 50-basis-point increments. The secondary rate consistent with a UMBS at par value (typically, face value) is known as the “current coupon” rate.
Chart 2 displays the primary-mortgage-market rate (what homeowners pay) and the secondary-market rate (paid to UMBS investors) during 2022. The difference between the two series—or the “primary–secondary spread”— reflects several factors.
Downloadable chart
First, all conventional conforming mortgage borrowers pay 25 basis points for loan servicing. Second, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac charge guarantee fees to ensure timely payment of principal and interest on UMBS. Finally, loan originators need to cover their costs, including a return on equity, which may vary over time due to mortgage demand. The primary–secondary spread, which averaged around 105 basis points during 2022, did not exhibit a trend that could account for the widening relative to long-term Treasury rates during the period.
Chart 2 illustrates that the large increase in primary mortgage rates during 2022 was driven by secondary-market rates. Conceptually, one can think of secondary-market rates as reflecting the sum of a long-term risk-free rate (for convenience, we show the 10-year Treasury rate) plus the cost of a call option that allows borrowers to prepay their mortgages at any time without penalty.
This continuous prepayment option is costly to lenders because it is exercised more often when it benefits the borrower at the expense of the lender, as borrowers refinance into lower-rate loans. The difference between the secondary-market rate and longer-dated Treasury rates can be thought of as the cost of the prepayment option.
Interest rate volatility widens mortgage spreads
Option values increase with the volatility of the underlying asset value. This is because greater volatility increases the likelihood that the asset’s price will reach a level that renders the option valuable. In this case, mortgage prepayment options rose in value because of increased underlying interest rate volatility.
Chart 3 plots the difference between the secondary-mortgage-market rate less the 10-year Treasury rate against a widely cited measure of interest rate volatility— the MOVE index. The MOVE index tracks the level of Treasury rate volatility over one month that is implied by options on Treasury securities. Such option-implied rate volatility can be thought of as reflecting uncertainty about the future path of underlying interest rates.
Downloadable chart
Increased uncertainty about the future path of Treasury rates over much of 2022 translated into increased values of the mortgage prepayment option, boosting the spread between mortgage-backed securities and long-dated Treasuries. As markets became more confident about the future path of interest rates at year-end 2022, option-implied Treasury volatility fell, and the spread between mortgage-backed securities and Treasuries followed.
The role of interest rate uncertainty
While the increase in mortgage rates during 2022 was primarily driven by the rise in risk-free Treasury rates, it was amplified by increases in the cost of the mortgage prepayment option, which reflected broader uncertainty about the future path of interest rates.
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About the authors
W. Scott Frame is a vice president in the banking and finance group in the Research Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Matthew McCormick is a senior financial sector advisor in the Research Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas or the Federal Reserve System.
Today we’ll take a hard look at “Aurora Financial,” a direct mortgage lender that says it’s built for speed.
In fact, they claim it’s possible to close a home purchase loan or refinance in as little as 14 business days, which is well below the average time it takes to get a mortgage.
Typically, you’re looking at 30-45 days during normal market conditions, and even longer if the industry is slammed.
So if you’re in need of a quick close and a low mortgage rate, Aurora Financial could be a winner. Let’s learn more.
Aurora Financial Fast Facts
Direct-to-consumer mortgage lender
Offers home purchase loans and mortgage refinances
Founded in 2003, headquartered in McClean, VA
Currently licensed to do business in 20 states nationwide
Funded about half a billion in home loans last year
Specialize in very fast loan closings
Aurora Financial is a Virginia-based direct-to-consumer mortgage lender that offers home purchase loans and mortgage refinances.
They seem to focus on the latter, with such transactions accounting for around 90% of their total loan volume in 2020.
Speaking of, they closed nearly half a billion in home loans last year, with about half of overall volume originated in their home state of Virginia.
At the moment, they do business in the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
While they work all over the country, you’ll likely be applying remotely as they don’t appear to have brick-and-mortar branches.
How to Apply with Aurora Financial
To get started, simply visit their website and click on “Apply Online.” You can also call them up directly before you do to get pricing.
From there, you’ll be prompted to create an account, then you can fill out the actual loan application.
They say it’s a digital process and mostly paperless, with e-signatures for initial disclosures and a secure portal for quick uploads of supporting documents.
Those looking to buy a home can generate a pre-approval in “minutes,” and their big claim is using the latest tech to offer the fastest closings in the industry.
Part of that might be their streamlined business model of focusing mainly on conventional refinance applications for W-2 borrowers.
It also helps that they offer both in-house paperless processing and underwriting.
Apparently, the average refinance closes in just 16 business days, though their rush closings can be even faster.
All in all, it should be easy to complete your application and get to the finish line, assuming you have a simple loan scenario.
Loan Programs Offered by Aurora Financial
Home purchase loans
Refinance loans
Conforming loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
High-limit and jumbo loans
FHA loans
VA loans
I wouldn’t say Aurora Financial has a vast product menu, but they do offer the most common programs that the majority of borrowers are looking for.
This includes home purchase financing, rate and term refinances, and cash out refis.
You can get a conforming loan, high-limit, jumbo, or government-backed option like an FHA or VA loan.
The only major loan type they don’t appear to offer is USDA loans.
It’s also unclear if you can get an adjustable-rate mortgage, not that they’re very popular at the moment.
Aurora Financial Mortgage Rates
One area where the company seems to shine is mortgage rates. Instead of simply telling you they offer super competitive rates, they post them right on their homepage.
You won’t have to dig around or provide your contact info first. Simply head to their website for daily rates.
They also advertise on third-party websites like Zillow, where lenders are often very competitive in the pricing department.
After all, you don’t want to be the most expensive option when listed among dozens of other lenders.
From what I saw, they were offering one of the lowest rates for a 30-year fixed on Zillow for a sample loan scenario I generated.
It was also listed with $1 in lender fees, which is essentially a no cost refinance. That means a low rate and equally low APR.
On top of their seemingly low rates, they also offer a free rate float down if you lock and rates get even better.
It only applies to conforming loans and the rate must drop by 50 basis points for a fixed-rate loan and 62.5 bps for an adjustable-rate mortgage.
As always, put in the time to gather additional quotes with competing lenders to ensure you do your due diligence.
Aurora Financial No Closing Cost Loyalty Program
Another perk to using Aurora Financial is their so-called “No Closing Cost Loyalty Program.”
Simply put, if you get a loan from them and mortgage rates drop enough to make a refinance worth it, they’ll offer one without closing costs.
Not only will they waive their own lender fees, but also third-party costs like the home appraisal, title and escrow.
Borrowers will only be responsible for funding their impound account, if applicable.
To qualify, the loan amount must $200,000 or greater, a conforming loan on a primary or second home, and be at least six months past the previous loan funding date.
This gives you the opportunity to refinance at no cost for the lifetime of your loan with them.
Aurora Financial On-Time Closing Guarantee
Pricing aside, Aurora Financial also offers an on-time closing guarantee to ensure you get your home purchase financing without delay.
This is especially important in a hot real estate market, which we’re currently experiencing.
In short, they’ll close your purchase transaction on time or credit you with $1,000 at the time of closing.
This offer only applies to conforming loans and FHA loans, with jumbo loans ineligible, along with self-employed borrowers.
Ultimately, you need a pretty cut and dry loan scenario to qualify, but the guarantee should apply to most borrowers who happen to file W-2 and have a conforming loan amount.
Aurora Financial Reviews
On Zillow, Aurora Financial enjoys a 4.69-star rating out of 5 from more than 700 customer reviews.
At Bankrate, they have a 4.8-star rating from nearly 300 reviews, with 97% of customers indicating they’d recommend this lender.
They also have a 4.8-star rating on Angi from about 80 verified reviews, with price, punctuality, and responsiveness all receiving high marks.
On Google, a very similar 4.7-star rating from about 125 reviews, and on Yelp a 4.5 rating from about 25 reviews.
The company is also A+ BBB rated, and has been an accredited company with the Better Business Bureau since 2006.
They have a 4.93/5 customer rating on the BBB website and no customer complaints on file.
In summary, Aurora Financial seems like a good pick for a homeowner with a vanilla mortgage (Fannie/Freddie W-2 borrower) that’s looking to refinance.
The combination of low rates and fees, coupled with fast processing and their no-cost loyalty program, separates them from other shops.
Aurora Financial Pros and Cons
The Good
Can apply online via their secure digital mortgage application
Offer a mostly paperless loan process and in-house processing
They post their daily mortgage rates online
Appear to offer low rates and limited/no lender fees
Free rate float down
Their loan officers don’t work on commission
$1,000 on-time closing guarantee
Can close loans super fast (in as little as 14 days)
Excellent customer reviews across all ratings sites
A pending transaction on your bank account means that a transaction is underway but hasn’t been fully processed yet. Perhaps a vendor has accepted your debit card as payment and is working with your bank to receive payment. Or maybe you are expecting an electronic payment but the funds are awaiting release.
Usually, your bank takes a few business days to resolve the pending transaction and post it to your account. However, it’s vital to remember that pending transactions subtract your purchase amount from your bank account as soon as they appear. Likewise, an incoming credit will turn up as an addition to your balance, usually with an anticipated release date.
Bank pending transactions, even if they come from vendors you recognize, may require a closer look. For instance, why is there an extra charge from the gas station you visited this morning? And why would a charge still be pending from the sandwich shop you stopped at last week? These items are examples of pending transactions, which can create holds on your account until your bank resolves them.
Here are the details on how pending transactions affect your finances and what to do about them, including:
• What does pending mean on my bank account?
• What is a pending transaction on my bank account?
• How long does a bank pending transaction on my bank account last?
• What does a pending transaction do to my bank account balance?
What Is a Pending Transaction?
A pending transaction on your bank account means your bank is processing a purchase you made, a bill you paid, or a deposit that’s heading your way, but it hasn’t been completed yet. Either the payment hasn’t been sent to the vendor yet or the incoming funds haven’t cleared, although they are in process.
For instance, when you purchase a good or service by using your debit card, your account will show a pending transaction shortly after. This acknowledges that you used your card, shows the amount, but the transaction isn’t in the rearview mirror just yet. Here’s why:
• Pending purchases happen when you swipe, insert, or tap your card, the business you’re transacting with confirms the card is valid through a quick online process.
• Then, the business accepts the purchase and puts a hold on your account, signifying that your bank needs to pay them for the purchase. This hold creates a pending transaction on your checking account.
• The business resolves the pending transaction on your account by settling your purchase with your bank or financial institution. When your financial institution receives communication from the business, it will perform a bank transaction deposit to the business’s financial account.
• Once the business receives payment, the transaction goes from pending to posted.
Likewise, pending deposits happen when the funds from another account haven’t been released to your bank account yet. However, they appear pending to let you know funds are processing and should be deposited soon. This could reflect a check you deposited or perhaps a direct deposit that you set up.
How long do direct deposits take to clear? Typically, direct deposits can take a couple of days to clear, but paychecks are often orchestrated in advance to show up and be available on payday, so they may appear instantaneous.
If you’ve deposited a check, it typically takes no more than two days to clear, but in some situations, it can take up to a week.
Recommended: What Happens if a Direct Deposit Goes to a Closed Account?
Pending Transaction vs Posted Transaction
A bank pending transaction and a posted transaction represent two different stages of your bank or financial institution processing a payment or a deposit. Specifically, the difference is:
• A pending transaction on your bank account means one of two things: either a merchant initiated a request for payment to your bank because of a purchase you made with your debit card or a deposit is waiting to be released into your account.
• To get to posted transaction status, your bank finishes processing the payment or deposit request, and money goes from your account to the vendor to fund your purchase or vice versa. For example, say you spend $50 at the grocery store. After you use your card, the store communicates with your bank to record a pending transaction. Then, your bank uses funds in your account to fulfill your grocery purchase. Your account has a posted transaction, a debit, of $50 after your bank pays the grocery store.
How Long Does a Transaction Stay Pending?
A transaction typically stays pending for one to three business days. During this time, your bank or financial institution processes the request and transfers money from one account to another according to your purchase or deposit amount.
After these steps occur, the transaction is no longer pending. It becomes a posted transaction.
What Causes a Transaction to Stay Pending?
A transaction can stay pending for various reasons.
• First, the vendor you transacted with might be slow to move the payment from your bank. The transaction stays pending until the vendor accepts payment from your bank. If the vendor takes too long to accept the money, the bank can cancel the transfer. If that happens, the pending transaction will vanish from your account, along with the charge against your balance.
• In addition, pending transactions can take longer to clear because of how businesses operate in specific industries. For example, a hotel won’t resolve a pending transaction on your account until you check out because you might, say, order room service during your stay, increasing your bill. As a result, the pending transaction stays on your account until the hotel can charge the grand total to your card.
• Lastly, transactions can stay pending because of holidays and weekends. During these times, banks and businesses may take longer to resolve pending transactions on your account.
How Does a Pending Transaction Impact Your Account Balance?
Although a pending transaction on your bank account means the vendor hasn’t received payment yet or the funds for the deposit are not cleared, it still influences your account balance. Put another way, pending transactions count toward your balance, which helps prevent you from overspending money.
There’s another benefit to this practice: That quick deduction of pending charges from your bank account balance might help you avoid overdraft or NSF fees. You see how much money is actually in your account and can therefore be cautious with your purchases.
Pending Transaction Examples
Say you have $2,000 in your bank account, and you go to buy a $400 espresso machine. The merchant initiates a hold with your bank account, and your bank creates a $400 pending transaction on your account. This transaction reduces your account balance by $400.
Meanwhile, the bank takes four days to process the merchant’s request. However, the moment the pending transaction hit your account, your balance changed to $1,600. As a result, you had a realistic sense of the money available to spend immediately after buying the espresso machine despite your bank taking four days to pay the merchant.
In other words, the bank pending transaction is instantly subtracted from your bank account to prevent you from overdrafting. So, when managing your checking account, your balance might be lower than expected from time to time. In these situations, check for pending transactions from recent purchases, as they may be taking away from your balance sooner than you thought.
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Can You Cancel a Pending Transaction?
Depending on where you are in the purchase process, you may be able to cancel a pending transaction with the vendor or your bank. Here are a few scenarios to consider. First, here’s how you might be able to work with a vendor:
• Perhaps you place an online order for new clothes and feel buyer’s remorse a few hours later when you see the pending transaction hit your bank account. Fortunately, the vendor probably hasn’t shipped your order yet, so you contact them and cancel the order. Once your vendor processes the cancellation, the pending transaction should disappear from your bank account and restore your available funds.
• What if you placed an online order, but you notice the pending transaction on your bank account is double the amount of what you actually ordered? You realize the vendor has charged your account twice, so you notify them about the issue. Once they rectify the ordering error, the pending transaction should change to the correct amount.
In other situations, contacting your bank or financial institution is a better move.
• If you see an unfamiliar pending transaction from a company you don’t remember doing business with, it’s best to notify your bank of the suspicious activity. The bank will investigate on your behalf and cancel any fraudulent charges.
• If you see a pending transaction for an amount that doesn’t match your records, you can ask your bank to nullify the charge. This option is helpful if you can’t get in touch with the vendor or want to avoid overdrafting your account.
• Say you have a pending transaction from a business that is unresponsive to your communication or refuses to cancel the transaction. In that case, contacting your bank to cancel the pending transaction can resolve the issue.
Recommended: Benefits of Using Mobile Deposit
The Takeaway
A pending transaction on your bank account means your bank is processing a purchase or an incoming deposit from another account. Although a pending transaction signifies your vendor has yet to receive payment or the deposit funds aren’t released yet, the amount involved is typically reflected from your bank account. This gives you an accurate, up-to-date picture of the money you have available.
It’s possible to cancel a pending transaction by contacting the vendor or your bank, but it’s crucial to act quickly.
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FAQ
Are pending transactions already deducted from my account?
Once a pending transaction appears on your bank account, the amount is deducted from your balance. As a result, you don’t have to wait for the transaction to post to see how the purchase impacts your bank account.
What do I do if my transaction is pending?
If your transaction is pending, all you need to do is wait for your bank to resolve the charge with the vendor or the deposit to your account. This process usually takes one to three business days. The only reason to take action regarding a pending transaction is if you want to cancel it.
Can pending transactions be declined?
A vendor can decline a pending transaction by not accepting payment from your bank. This scenario means the vendor loses money on your purchase, so it’s rare for this to happen (unless, say, an item is sold out). The vendor will also decline a pending transaction if you successfully cancel your order with them.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances. SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on Savings account balances (including Vaults) and up to 1.20% APY on Checking account balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for these rates. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in Checking and Savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 4/25/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. SOBK0223017
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If you want to buy term life insurance, you’ve got a few options. You could work with an agent in your area if you’d prefer a face-to-face interaction, or you can buy online if you prefer the convenience of an electronic process.
However, not all online life insurance agencies are created equal. If you’re shopping around for term life quotes, it’s important to understand what to look for to help you get the best value.
What to expect when you’re applying for coverage
Anyone who has gone through a life insurance application in the past could tell you that life insurance carriers are some of the most thorough and careful companies in the world. This is because life insurance policies are priced based on the applicant’s risk of death.
However, the process of applying has come a long way, and it’s actually gotten pretty simple – especially online. Nowadays, most of the heavy lifting is done behind the scenes.
If you add a good agency into the mix, applying for life insurance is practically painless, since it will handle almost everything that doesn’t require your signature or further clarification from you.
Generally, buying a life insurance policy will take between two and six weeks, and the process tends to follow a consistent format.
Step 1: Submit an application
When you find a price you like, you can choose a carrier to submit a formal application with. Choosing a carrier to apply with isn’t a binding decision, and you’re always free to back out of an application to go a different direction.
Step 2: Take a medical exam
Life insurance carriers will require you to take a medical exam see how healthy you are. This is free for you and the examiner will even come to your home or office to make things convenient.
Step 3: Wait for your medical records
The carrier will order a copy of your medical records from your doctor, which could take anywhere between hours and weeks, depending on how well-organized your doctor keeps their records.
Step 4: Tie up loose ends
After the exam is completed, medical records have been received, and any other questions the carrier needs answered are out of the way, your application will be reviewed. Once you get the final OK from the carrier, your policy will be approved, and you’ll be on your way to getting coverage!
Let’s look at each of these steps in a little more detail.
Submitting your application
Starting your life insurance journey will often begin with getting a quote, which will show you prospective prices based on a few key factors, like the amount of coverage you’d need, how long you want it to last, and a few health and lifestyle questions.
Interested? Check out a few prices. Quotacy has an online quoting tool you can use – no commitment required.
Taking the medical exam
After applying for coverage, the life insurance carrier will require you to take a quick medical exam in order to be approved for coverage. Because life insurance pricing is based on your mortality risk, the carrier needs to verify your current medical situation.
The medical exam is a free mini-physical performed by an examiner and scheduled by the carrier. It can happen anywhere, even in your home or office, whenever you can spare half an hour.
Typical exams consist of:
A few questions about your medical history
A list of any medications you’re taking
Height and weight measurements
Pulse and blood pressure check
A urine sample
A blood sample
Preparing for your exam
The measurements that are taken during the exam are extremely important, and being prepared is your best bet to ensure a good outcome. In the time before your exam, you should remember to:
Fast for 6-8 hours – this will reduce your blood sugar. Scheduling your exam in the morning can make this easy if you skip breakfast.
Don’t smoke for at least one hour prior – smoking temporarily raises your blood pressure.
Don’t drink coffee for at least one hour prior – caffeine can increase your blood pressure and raise your pulse.
Avoid alcohol for 8 hours prior – it’s high in calories, and can raise your blood sugar and blood pressure.
Avoid overly salty and sugary foods for one day beforehand – both salt and sugar raise your blood pressure.
Drink lots of water – this hydrates you to help make the blood draw a lot easier and less painful.
No strenuous exercise the night before or the day of your exam – as your body repairs from exercise, your blood pressure and pulse rise slightly.
No sexual activity for one day beforehand (for men, at least) – gettin’ freaky lowers the PSA levels in your blood, which is one of the ways that carriers evaluate your prostate health.
Get a good night’s sleep – being well-rested lowers blood pressure. As an added bonus, if you’re afraid of needles, having a full eight hours can help your body negate the physical effects of your phobia.
Waiting for your medical records
Before your life insurance application is approved, insurance carriers order copies of your medical and driving records to help them get a better idea of any insurability risks you might have. Just like with the medical exam, the carrier orders these records behind the scenes on their own dime.
Because the laws protecting a patient’s medical records are extremely strict, you will need to sign a form authorizing your doctor to release your records to the insurance company and agency you’re working with.
At this point, all you’ll need to do is sit and wait for the records to arrive. Depending on how efficient your doctor is at sending them along, waiting for this step to be completed can either happen overnight or take a few weeks.
Answeringadditional questions
In addition to everything else that happens during your application, the carrier will sometimes have follow-up questions for you which will help them get to know you a bit better. These questions can be about anything from medical conditions to your hobbies to your travel plans.
A lot of the time, the questions a carrier asks can be pretty scary to someone trying to protect their family. Many clients see a questionnaire about their sleep apnea, or their diabetes, or their battle with cancer, and assume that the carrier will decline them on the spot.
It’s important to keep in mind that even though there are many factors that can affect your rate during this time, you’ll likely be able to get coverage. The whole reason that insurance carriers have flexible prices is because they want to offer coverage to as many people as possible, regardless of the circumstances.
Here’s a quick list of example questions you could see during an application, depending on your circumstances.
If you have a medical condition:
How severe is it?
How is it being treated?
Is the treatment effective?
If you have a risky hobby, like hang gliding or rock climbing:
What level of experience or certification do you have?
How often do you participate in your hobby?
How much time have you dedicated to your hobby?
This isn’t a comprehensive list, by any means, but hopefully it will give you an idea of what the carrier is looking for.
Waiting for approval
Once the carrier has everything they need, your application will enter the approval process. This is when the carrier’s underwriters will review everything they’ve collected as a whole, and evaluate where the final price of your insurance policy should be set.
If you’re approved for coverage, you’ll be sent a packet containing your policy itself as well as a few documents that you’ll need to sign and return so the carrier can finalize your coverage. This step is also when the carrier will collect your payment information so that they can set up your billing on their end.
Depending on the carrier you apply with, you will either be sent digital forms or a physical policy booklet. Regardless of the format, you should store your policy securely and have a plan in place to help your family find it in the event of your death, so they can claim your death benefit.
After a bit more processing by the carrier to wrap up any loose ends, you’ll receive a notification that your policy is inforce. That means that everything’s in place on the carrier’s end of things, and your coverage has been activated! All that’s left for you to do is make your premium payments according to your payment plan, and your family will be covered.
Eric Lindholm is a writer for Quotacy, and he’spersonally guided hundreds of people through their own life insurance journeys since joining in 2016. Eric lives in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, where he’s busy paying off his student loans and making the most of his time as a 20-something. You can connect with him and see what he’s up to at EricLindholm.biz.
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This reader story come from SB, a regular reader and commenter on GRS. SB writes about personal finance and personal development topics at One Cent at a Time.
Some reader stories contain general advice; others are examples of how a GRS reader achieved financial success or failure. These stories feature folks with all levels of financial maturity and income.
This is my second guest post at this blog. I am grateful to J.D. and his team’s humble gesture in allowing me to do it. I hope to provide the same value regular writers of this blog provide to you.
My grandmother was nearly illiterate, born and reared in rural India during the British occupation of the country. At the age of 14, she was abducted by the British army (later released), which ultimately caused her to marry early at the age of 16. She couldn’t complete school beyond basic education. Still, she became a very wise woman and mastered many skills.
My aunt happened to write down some of my grandmother’s home-remedy techniques from her narration. Recently, my cousin forwarded me a soft copy of that compilation. I’ll mention a few common symptoms and their natural cures, all at a fraction of the cost of medicine. But before that, let me tell you why I find home-based cures so beneficial.
The Benefits of Home Remedies
Drugs contain unnatural substances and chemicals, which are foreign elements to our body. Natural remedies, on the other hand, are not synthetic molecules like drugs; they are made of living organisms which we eat anyway.
Some drugs act as a manipulator and force the brain to think differently — an example is an anti-depressant. The problem with this is, the moment you stop taking the drug, the symptoms often recur.
Natural remedies have fewer side effects compared to prescription drugs, as drugs tend to alter the chemical and hormonal balance of our body.
Natural remedies are available at a fraction of the cost of prescription drugs. Your grocery bill will cover them.
The Benefits of Prescription Drugs
It is important to remember that most drugs are developed by studying the natural cures and identifying ingredients which actually affect the symptoms. Still, prescription drugs are more useful under most circumstances. They work faster. We can’t afford to be bedridden for days and hope for natural cures to work someday. Life is tough and we must get well sooner.
We don’t have time to be sick. Prescription drugs provide the quickest recovery. They start fighting the bacteria and antibodies as soon as we take them. You may argue that we take chemically altered substances every day, be it the milk or the apple, or even the chicken. They have pesticides, growth hormones and God knows what.
An Introduction to Home Remedies
My grandmother was raised in a 100 percent organic environment. With near zero pollution, she ate healthy, farm-harvested food. Since childhood, I took medicines almost for any illness; rarely was I given a natural cure, except honey and basil leaves for a cold. Our bodies are used to chemicals anyway; therefore, natural remedies may not work the way they worked for our grandparents. Still, there is no harm in detoxifying our bodies to the extent we can, over time. My grandmother’s advice may help to accomplish that goal.
Here are some excerpts from the treasure I was handed recently.
Acidity: Acidity is caused by excess acid secretion from the gastric gland, the acid which is used for digestion.
Chew a piece of clove, and take some time to swallow. It provides instant relief.
Another immediate relief is to eat a small cup of yogurt.
For more sustainable relief, drink warm water every day early in the morning.
Drink coconut water regularly.
Mix a few drops of honey in water to drink.
If you know what a jaggery is, suck a small cube of it after lunch/dinner.
A glass of water with a teaspoon of soda can also provide immediate cure.
A couple of pieces of dates can also give you instant relief.
Backache: If you happen to work in a chair, you may have this symptom already. As a software professional, I have had backaches for the last few years. The natural cure is garlic. Eat a couple of cloves of garlic every day.
Prepare an ointment by frying a few cloves of garlic in olive oil, strain and let it cool. Apply to your back every day.
Indian masala tea can be a cure too — the one with cloves or ginger. Take it daily. (Two cups of masala tea can boost your energy as well, which is a low-cost replacement of Red Bull or 5-Hour Energy drinks.)
Eating oranges, lemons and berries can reduce the pain over time.
Drinking water with a tablespoon of honey can make your day pain-free as well.
Cough and cold: When allergens or viral infections cause an inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, we get cough and cold. Here is a less-costly alternative to Tylenol or Excedrin. (This is a remedy I learned in childhood: My mother used to give me a teaspoon of honey and a few basil leaves –Indian Tulsi — to chew. To get instant relief from congestion of nasal passages, she used to heat water with some cloves, cardamoms and cinnamon sticks and peppercorns.)
A soup with a lot of garlic in it can also bring relief.
Cut okra into small pieces and boil it, inhale the steam to get relief as well.
Take a hot-water bath when you catch a cold.
Migraine: This is caused by a contraction of blood vessels in the head. It can be caused by stress, lack of sleep, anxiety, nicotine and alcohol consumption.
Concentrated grape juice can bring relief.
For a more sustainable remedy, put tomatoes and cabbage into your daily salad.
A daily dose of garlic can treat this symptom as well.
Grind cabbage leaves and apply to the affected area for relief.
When migraines occur, excuse yourself from work. Find a dark room and lie down. Exposure to sunlight may cause the migraine to intensify.
Per my grandmother, even if the migraine is in the back of your head, applying sandalwood powder on the forehead can cause blood vessels to function properly. You may have seen Indian religious workers applying a patch of sandalwood powder on the forehead throughout the day. It’s an age-old practice.
Snoring: I am afflicted with this disease for sure. My wife says I am the worst offender and she can’t sleep because of my snoring, so I have started following these tactics already.
Stop smoking. Smoking causes more mucus formation around the throat.
Go to the gym. Weight loss can even end snoring.
Alcohol increases snoring. (When you drink, you’d better sleep in a separate room!)
Sleep side-wise rather than on your back.
Avoid heavy meals before going to bed.
Stop eating oily/spicy foods at dinner.
Maintain a regular sleep schedule, and don’t sleep during the day.
Wash the bed sheets and pillow covers frequently, and even change your pillow after a few months. The dust and allergens can accumulate on them, causing nasal passage blocks.
Stress: It’s amazing that stress was a concern even 60 years ago in a rural village. Here is her wisdom, which may reduce stress because you’re saving money. But more than the money saved, the main point here is reducing the dependence on synthetic drugs.
Chewing Indian basil (Tulsi) leaves every day is the best natural cure.
Yoga and Dhyana (meditation) can also cure this.
Milk and almonds in the morning keep you fresh and energetic.
Bad eating, oily foods, eating meals quickly, and drinking alcohol may cause depression over time. One of her tips to cure stress is to “love everybody and everything”!
Applying betel leaves on your forehead can ease your tension.
A few ingredients which are repeated here (and in the rest of the natural cures my grandmother used but which I don’t mention here) are mint, honey, water and garlic. Have sufficient supply of these items at your home, if you plan to follow the tips.
Also, another synergy I can see here is the morning drinking and eating habits. If you start your day the right way, the rest of your day should follow that lead and keep you upbeat.
Readers, even if you rely on these natural remedies, when the situation warrants it, there’s no alternative to a doctor and the prescription medicine. You need to know when to rely on home remedies and when to go to a doctor. Don’t ignore your doctor for a bit.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
We are going to under the cover and discover $14 an hour is how much per year.
For most Americans, this is hovering near minimum wage.
Let’s get this straight… This is not a livable wage.
If you are in high school or college and have support from your parents, then this is great spending money for you.
However, if you are making it on your own, $14 per hour will not make ends meet each month.
For most people, being at minimum wage is common and the goal is to make your way up the payscale and quickly!
In this post, we’re going to detail exactly what $14 an hour is how much a year. Also, we will break it down to know how much is made per month, bi-weekly, per week, and daily.
That will help you immensely with how you spend your money. Because too many times the hard-earned cash is brought home, but there is no actual plan for how to spend that money.
When living close to minimum wage, you must know how to manage money wisely.
More than likely, you are living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to survive until the next paycheck. Take a deep breath and make this minimum wage just a season.
The ultimate goal is to make the most of your hourly wage with inspirations to make more money.
If that is something you want to do, then keep reading. You are in the right place.
$14 an Hour is How Much a Year?
When we ran all of our numbers to figure out how much is $14 per hour is an annual salary, we used the average working day of 40 hours a week.
40 hours x 52 weeks x $14 = $29,120
$29120 is the gross annual salary with a $14 per hour wage.
Breakdown of 14 Dollars an hour is how much a year
Typically, the average workweek is 40 hours and you can work 52 weeks a year. Take 40 hours times 52 weeks and that equals 2,080 working hours. Then, multiply the hourly salary of $14 times 2,080 working hours, and the result is $29,120.
That number is the gross income before taxes, insurance, 401K, or anything else is taken out. Net income is how much you deposit into your bank account.
Work Part Time?
But you may think, oh wait, I’m only working part time. So if you’re working part time, the assumption is working 20 hours a week at $14 an hour.
Only 20 hours per week. Then, take 20 hours times 52 weeks and that equals 1,040 working hours. Then, multiply the hourly salary of $14 times 1,040 working hours, and the result is $14,560.
How Much is $14 Per Month?
On average, the monthly amount would average $2,426.
Annual Amount of $20120 ÷ 12 months = $2426 per month
Since some months have more days and fewer days like February, you can expect months with more days to have a bigger paycheck. Also, this can be heavily influenced by how often you are paid and on which days you get paid.
Work Part Time?
Only 20 hours per week. Then, the monthly amount would average $1213.
How Much is $14 per Hour Per Week
This is a great number to know! How much do I make each week? When I roll out of bed and do my job, what can I expect to make at the end of the week?
Once again, the assumption is 40 hours worked.
40 hours x $14 = $560 per week.
Work Part Time?
Only 20 hours per week. Then, the weekly amount would be $280.
How Much is $14 per Hour Bi-Weekly
For this calculation, take the average weekly pay of $560 and double it.
$560 per week x 2 = $1120
Also, the other way to calculate this is:
40 hours x 2 weeks x $14 an hour = $1120
Work Part Time?
Only 20 hours per week. Then, the bi-weekly amount would be $560.
How Much is $14 Per Hour Per Day
This depends on how many hours you work in a day. For this example, we are going to use an eight-hour workday.
8 hours x $14 per hour = $112 per day.
If you work 10 hours a day for four days, then you would make $140 per day. (10 hours x $14 per hour)
Work Part Time?
Only 4 hours per day. Then, the daily amount would be $56.
$14 Per Hour is…
$14 per Hour – Full Time
Total Income
Yearly Salary (52 weeks)
$29,120
Yearly Wage (50 weeks)
$28,000
Monthly Wage (173 hours)
$2.426
Weekly Wage (40 Hours)
$560
Bi-Weekly Wage (80 Hours)
$1120
Daily Wage (8 Hours)
$112
Net Estimated Monthly Income
$1,853
**These are assumptions based on simple scenarios.
Paid Time Off Earning 14 Dollars an Hour
Does your employer offer paid time off?
As an hourly, close to minimum wage employee, more than likely you will not get paid time off.
So, here are the scenarios for both cases.
For general purposes, we are going to assume you work 40 hours per week over the course of the year.
Case # 1 – With Paid Time Off
Most hourly employees, get two weeks of paid time off which is equivalent to 2 weeks of paid time off.
In this case, you would make $29120 per year.
This is the same as the example above for an annual salary making $14 per hour.
Case #2 – No Paid Time Off
Unfortunately, not all employers offer paid time off to their hourly employees. While that is unfortunate, it is best to plan for less income.
Life happens. There will be times you need to take time off for numerous reasons – sick time, handling an emergency, or even vacation.
So, let’s assume you take 2 weeks off without paid time off.
That means you would only work 50 weeks of the year instead of all 52 weeks. Take 40 hours times 50 weeks and that equals 2,000 working hours. Then, multiply the hourly salary of $14 times 2,000 working hours, and the result is $28,000.
40 hours x 50 weeks x $14 = $28000
You would average $112 per working day and nothing when you don’t work.
$14 an Hour is How Much a year After Taxes
Let’s be honest… Taxes can take up a big chunk of your paycheck. Thus, you need to know how taxes can affect your hourly wage.
This is why you always wondering why your take-home pay is so much less.
Also, every single person’s tax situation is different.
On the basic level, let’s assume a 12% federal tax rate and a 4% state rate. Plus a percentage is taken out for Social Security and Medicare (FICA) of 7.65%.
Gross Annual Salary: $29,120
Federal Taxes of 12%: $3,494
State Taxes of 4%: $1,165
Social Security and Medicare of 7.65%: $2,228
$14 an Hour per Year after Taxes: $22,233
This would be your net annual salary after taxes.
To turn that back into an hourly wage, the assumption is working 2,080 hours.
$22233 ÷ 2080 hours = $10.69 per hour
After estimated taxes and FICA, you are netting $10.69 an hour. That is $3.31 an hour less than what you planned.
This is a very highlighted example and can vary greatly depending on your personal situation. Therefore, here is a great tool to help you figure out how much your net paycheck would be.
$14 an Hour Budget – Example
You are probably wondering can I live on my own making 14 dollars an hour? How much rent can you afford at 14 an hour?
Using our Cents Plan Formula, this is the best case scenario on how to budget your $14 per hour paycheck.
When using these percentages, it is best to use net income because taxes must be paid.
In this example, above we calculated that $14 an hour was $10.69 after taxes. That would average $1853 per month.
According to the Cents Plan Formula, here is the high level view of a $14 per hour budget:
Basic Expenses of 50% = $926
Save Money of 20% = $371
Give Money of 10% = $185
Fun Spending of 20% = $371
Debt of 0% = $0
Obviously, that is not doable when living so close to minimum wage. So, you have to be strategic on ways to decrease your basic expenses and debt. Then, it will allow you more money to save and fun spending.
To further break down an example budget of $14 per hour, then using the ideal household percentages is extremely helpful.
recommended budget percentages based on $14 per hour wage:
Category
Ideal Percentages
Sample Monthly Budget
Giving
10%
$73
Savings
15-25%
$194
Housing
20-30%
$728
Utilities
4-7%
$121
Groceries
5-12%
$231
Clothing
1-4%
$24
Transportation
4-10%
$109
Medical
5-12%
$243
Life Insurance
1%
$21
Education
1-4%
$12
Personal
2-7%
$36
Recreation / Entertainment
3-8%
$61
Debts
0% – Goal
$0
Government Tax (including Income Tatumx, Social Security & Medicare)
15-25%
$574
Total Gross Income
$2427
**In this budget, prioritization was given to basic expenses. Thus, some categories like giving and saving were less.
$14 An Hour Salary Calculator
Now, you get to figure out how much you make based on your hours worked or if you make a wage between $14.01-14.99.
This is super helpful if you make $14.25, $14.50, or $14.75.
Living on $14 Per Hour
Living close to minimum wage can be a very difficult situation.
Is it doable? Probably not for long.
You just have to be wiser (or frugal) with your money and how you spend the hard-earned cash you have been blessed with.
A lot of times when people are making under near the minimum wage mark, they feel like they are in this constant cycle that they can never keep up with (which completely makes sense it is hard!).
When your thoughts are constantly focused on how you are struggling to keep up with bills and expenses, that is all you focus on.
You need to do is change your money mindset.
This is what you say to yourself… Okay, I am making near minimum wage for now. I have aspirations and goals to increase how much I make. For now, I am going to make sure that I am able to live on my 14 dollars per hour. I’m going to try and avoid debt and payday loans at all costs.
Other Tips to Help You:
Check your minimum wage for your state and city. You might find a higher minimum wage in a nearby city.
Look to living in a lower cost of living area to stretch your money.
Find ways to minizine your basic expenses.
Thrive with a frugal green minimalist lifestyle.
Decide if a roommate or moving back with your parents would help.
Bike or walk to work.
In the next section, we will dig into ways to increase your income, but for now, you must focus on living on $14 an hour.
5 Ways to Increase Your Hourly Wage
This right here is the most important section of this post.
You need to figure out ways to increase your hourly income because I’m going to tell you…you deserve more. You do a good job and your value is higher than what your employers pay you.
Even an increase of 50 cents to $14.50 will add up over the year. Even better $15 an hour!
1. Ask for a Raise
The first thing to do is ask for a raise. Walk right in and ask for a raise because you never know what the answer will be until you ask.
If you want the best tips on how specifically to ask for a raise and what the average wage is for somebody doing your job, then check out this book. In this book, the author gives you the exact way to increase your income. The purchase is worth it or go down to the library and check that book out.
2. Look for A New Job
Another way to increase your hourly wage is to look for a new job. Maybe a completely new industry.
It might be a total change for you, but many times, if you want to change your financial situation, then that starts with a career change. Maybe you’re stressed out at work. Making $14 an hour is too much for you and you’re not able to enjoy life, maybe changing jobs and finding another job may increase your pay, but it will also increase your quality of life.
3. Find a New Career
Because of student loans, too many employees feel like they are stuck in the career field they chose. They feel sucked into the job that they don’t like or have the potential they thought it would.
For many years, I was in the same situation until I decided to do a complete career change. I am glad I did. I have the flexibility that I needed in my life to do what I wanted when I needed to do it. Plus I am able to enjoy my entrepreneurial spirit.
4. Find Alternative Ways to Make Money
In today’s society, you need to find ways to make more money. Period.
There is no way to get around it. You need to find additional income outside a traditional nine to five position or typical 40 hour a week job. You will reach a point where you are maxed on what you can make in your current position or title. There may be some advancement to move forward, but in many cases, there just is not much room for growth.
So, you need to find a side hustle – another way to make money.
Do something that you enjoy, turn your hobby into a way to make money, turn something that you naturally do, and help others into a service business. In today’s society, the sky is the limit on how you can earn a freelancing income.
5. Earn Passive Income
The last way to increase your hourly wage is to start earning passive income.
This can be from a variety of ways including the stock market, real estate, online courses, book sales, etc. This is where the differentiation between struggling financially and being financially sound happens.
By earning money passively, you are able to do the things that you enjoy doing and not be loaded down, with having a job that you need to work, and a place that you have to go to. And you still make money doing nothing.
Here is an example:
You can start a brokerage account and start trading stocks for $50. You need to learn and take the one and only investing class I recommend. Learn how the market works, watch videos, and practice in a simulator before you start using your own money.
One gentleman started with $5,000 in his trading account and now has well over $36,000 in a year. Just from practice and being consistent, he has learned that passive income is the way for him to increase his income and also not be a slave to his job.
Tips to Live on $14 an Hour
In this last section, grasp these tips on how to live on $14 an hour. On our site, you can find lots of money saving tips to help stretch your income further.
Here are the most important tips to live on $14 an hour. Highlight these!
1. Spend Less Than you Make
First, you must learn to spend less than you make.
If not you will be caught in the debt cycle and that is not where you want to be. You will be consistently living paycheck to paycheck.
In order to break that dreadful cycle, it means your expenses must be less than your income.
And when I say income, it’s not the $14 an hour. As we talked about earlier in the post, there are taxes. The amount of taxes taken out of your paycheck is called your net income which is your home $14 an hour minus all the taxes, FICA, social security, and medicare are taken out. That is your net income.
So, your net income has to be less than your net income.
2. Living Below Your Means
You need to be happy. And living on less can actually make you happier. Studies prove that less is better.
Finding contentment in life is one thing that is a struggle for most.
We are driven to want the new shiny toy, the thing next door, the stuff your friend or family member got. Our society has trained you that you need these things as well.
Have you ever taken a step back and looked at what you really need?
Once you are able to find contentment with life, then you are going to be set for the long term with your finances.
Here is our story on owning less stuff. We have been happier since.
3. Make Saving Money Fun
You need to make saving money fun. Period.
It could be participating in a no spend challenge for the month.
Check out the 200 envelope challenge (which is doable on your income)
It could be challenging friends not to go to Target for a week.
Maybe changing your habits and not picking up takeout and planning meals.
Whatever it is challenge yourself.
Find new ways of saving money and have fun with it.
Even better, get your family and kids involved in the challenge to save money. Tell them the reason why you are saving money and this is what you are doing.
Here are 101 things to do with no money. Free activities without costing you a dime. That is an amazing resource for you and you will never be bored.
And you will learn a lot of things in life you can do for free. Personally, some of the best ones are getting outside and enjoying some fresh air.
4. Make More Money
If you want if you do not settle for less, then find ways to make more money. If you want more out of life, then increase your income.
You need to be an advocate for yourself.
Find ways to make more money.
It could be a side hustle, a second job, asking for a raise, going to school to change careers, or picking up extra hours.
Whatever path you take, that’s fine. Just find ways to make more money. Period.
5. No State Taxes
Paying taxes is one option to increase what you take home in each paycheck.
These are the states that don’t pay state income taxes on wages:
Alaska
Florida
Nevada
New Hampshire
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Washington
Wyoming
It is very interesting if you take into account the amount of state taxes paid compared to a state with income taxes.
Also, if you live in one of the higher taxed states, then you may want to reconsider moving to a lower cost of living area. The higher taxes income tax states include California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, New York, Vermont, Iowa, and Wisconsin. These states tax income somewhere between 7.65% – 13.3%.
6. Stick to a Budget
You need to learn how to start a budget. We have tons budgeting resources for you.
While creating a budget is great, you need to learn how to use one.
You do not have to budget down to every last penny.
You need to make sure your expenses are less than your income and that you are creating sinking funds for those irregular expenses.
Budget Help:
7. Pay Off Debt Quickly
The amount that you pay interest on debt is absolutely absurd.
Unfortunately, that is how many of these companies make their money from the interest you pay on debt.
If you are paying 5% to even 20-21% or higher, you need to find ways to lower that debt quickly.
Here’s a debt calculator to help you. Figure out your debt free date.
Make that paying off debt fast is your target and main focus. I can tell you from personal experience, that it was not until week paid off our debt that we finally rounded the corner financially. Once our debt was paid off, we could finally be able to save money. Set money aside in separate bank accounts and pay for cash for things.
It took us working hard to pay off debt. We needed persistence and patience while we had setbacks in our debt free journey.
Jobs that Pay $14 an Hour
You can always find jobs that pay $14 per hour. Polish up that smile, fill out the application, and be prepared with your interview skills.
Job Search Hint: Always send a written follow-up thank you note for your interview. That will help you get noticed and remembered.
First, look at the cities that require a minimum wage in their cities. That is the best place to start to find jobs that are going to pay higher than the federal minimum wage rate. Many of the cities are moving towards this model so, target and look for jobs in those areas.
Possible Ideas:
Cashiers
Back of the house restaurant staff
Landscape Laborer
Retail jobs
Paraeducators at schools
Janitors
Farm help
Warehouse workers
Fast Food Restaurants workers
$14 Per Hour Annual Salary
In this post, we detailed 14 an hour is how much a year. Plus all of the variables can impact your net income. This is something that you can live off.
How much is 14 dollars an hour annually…
$29120
This is under $30000 per year and you need to make at least $43k a year.
In this post, we highlighted ways to increase your income as well as tips for living off your wage.
Use the sample budget as a starting point with your expenses.
You will have to be savvy and wise with your hard-earned income. But, with a plan, anything is possible!
Learn exactly how much do I make per year…
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!